The Vice-Chancellor Doesn't Fly

It's a bird, no it's a plane, no it's the...Vice-Chancellor! This is from a Freedom of Information request that I submitted in early November, and here's the gist:

The Vice-Chancellor of UWA has not taken any flights on university-related business since end-September 2004 to end-September 2006 (the time of two full academic years - my first two years here). I wanted to find out if he had been jetting all over the place (and especially to other UK destinations and Western Europe, which are the most avoidable to fly to and the most inefficient in terms of carbon emissions - climate change) on my fees and public money and impressively, it turns out that he hasn't. Good for him - well done that he's been able to successfully discharge his duties without having to chalk up air miles.

The Freedom of Information Act came into effect at the beginning of 2005 and provides anyone (that's you) or any organisation, with the right to request information from a public body - government departments, the NHS, local councils - and in this case here, publicly-funded universities. These public bodies must respond within twenty working days or give a reason why they cannot respond within that timeframe. The Act is regulated by (and appeals are made to) the Information Commissioner - an independent government watchdog. Certain exemptions apply - for comercially sensitive information or in the interests of 'national security'.

Still, there have been a string of reports in recent months on what is seen as Government attempts to restrict the use of the FoI Act through increased charges for providing documentation and on who can access the Act's provisions - 'serial' users, i.e. journalists, being restricted. The Guardian has a useful section on articles and commentary relating to the FoI Act